NEWS
New photo's added to the Show us Yours page by Paul Morledge.

NEWS
At a club meeting this week it was general feeling that most bordermen are struggling and numbers of chicks are generally down for this time of year. Not going to list names of who is doing well and who isnt but for those that have 50+ chicks it seems twice as many dont have 5+ chicks. So take heart in this if you are not having best start to your season because you are not alone. I am away shortly but will keep you all posted with news and views etc. Have a team departing for Poland this morning - qualifier for Junior European Championships so will be keeping one eye on results from there.

You will see that I have managed to embed a twitter account into the bottom left hand corner of the website. this is run from my Blackberry phone and will be much easier for me to keep you posted during my trips away etc. I will still use this news item box for News Items and mor lengthy messages as usual. The TWITTER will allow you to join in and add when you want - join in and enjoy keeping directly in touch.... all new for me and will take some getting used to I am sure.

Just packing up and getting sorted for going away tomorrow. Birds Ok not much happening until the weekend and later next week when next clutches due to hatch. As show schedules for this year start to be firmed up by committees, if you want them linked to the club notices in the Border Clubs section then, send them to me optimized into a small file size and I will attached them for you and members can down load. I will try and work a system so that show secs can see who is and how many being downloaded? would welcome ideas.

I was asked last night if we could have a twiier box on the front page for followers of the site to tweet - not sure if this is a joke or there would be enough people interested to make it worthwhile? I will give it some thought..... I have alsways been against Facebook and Twitter, wanting to leave tweeting to the birds in my shed.

Morning, after terrible rain overnight the sun is shining and the bowlers are on the green at the back of my house. I have heard that the BC Journal is hitting the streets and getting some good feedback that it is an excellent edition!! now then is that good news or what.... I have not got mine yet but looking forward to the post man coming soon. I am pleased that Don by the sound of it has included some of the articles that our site members sent him as a result of our push to send articles for publication. Could I ask that we maintain the momentum with this and if you feel able, just jot down a few lines or a letter and send to Don because other than Policy and Results etc the only thing published is what we send to Don - no writey, no likey !!
Slow in the shed at the minute and sure I could get a part in the Tower Circus with the amount of juggling I am doing at the minute (some would say the part of a clown though) seriously though it is hard work keeping things moving and chicks alive sometimes. I am very glad to employ a few feeders because they have got me through some tricky moments were otherwise chicks would be in the bucket. Only had a couple hatch at the weekend (last) and more due of over next weekend, hopeful that numbers continue to sneak up and get to a reasonable amount when the finish line appears. The Who's online went down for an hour or 2 last night but I am told it was outside my control, seems to be ok this morning but will keep an eye on it. Flaming bags packed time again tomorrow for weekend and move into my room at Premier Inn Gloucester for another training camp before European Championships in Sofia (Bulgaria) wonderful!! not.

The regular users of the Members Forum will be pleased to know that it is now fully restored and all the past 8 months worth of articles have been recovered. I have personally aged a few years but learnt a great deal. We have had to sacrifice the few entries over last couple of days and I have also taken care of the stupid comments that were posted and caused the problem in the first place. Fairly easy now to just click the Home Page tab on the Menu Bar, login and then the Members Forum tab will appear on the Menu Bar.

Bit blowy over night - stiff breeze coming in off the coast. Few garden chairs had different Postcode to normal this morning being blown about the place. Calmed down a bit now though, but very cold even though the sun is shining. Hung baths on this morning for the chicks that are separated, they love it - dont leave them on too long though, as soon as wet and had a splash around I take them off. Got most of the hens back down on eggs now but still have a couple that have done nothing except build a nest and not much else. I did split them up for over a week and still nothing. They are reasonable hens from 2011 so will hold on to them for next year and see if I can work them in 2013. I have one hen that I have held on to for 2 years having nothing from her and she has just reared 4 nice young ones this time - goes to show if you let good birds go because failed, they are likely to breed elsewhere. Got a few busy periods at work coming up again, this weekend then leading into final preparations for the Games - 89 days from today until standing at the startline!! Anyone reading this that has corporate connections, I am looking for potential sponsors for some athletes now in zone for the next Olympics in RIO 2016...... drop me an email with any contact details you may know of :-)

At last a couple of light marked birds (see pic below in nest) The lightest bird so far is a var hen (see new pic below) otherwise mostly darks. But thats fine because I dont mind darks. Couple hatched off this morning now got to wait a week until next lot due off. Some little ones developing in the nests around the shed to keep me busy and the ones that have been rung and growing on nicely in most cases. Still getting mixed feedback, some doing really well with loads of young ones and some almost at point of giving up for this year already. DIS has been my main problem I have to admit, right to point of pipping and starting to hatch. I carefully removed shell from one nest of eggs that had started to hatch but died to see if I could learn anything. 2 things, firstly they were very dry and secondly in this particular case the beaks were not right, now I dont know if this was due to effort being made to break the shell or just deformed? will never know. So, I sprayed the gold chip in the nest that hatched this morning with clean water last night and probably coincidence but they hatched fine. question mark question mark?? I am not losing any once hatched though and they are growing on to be reasonable birdsso I am at a loss this time. Busy afternoon now, F1 GP and numpty Hamilton/Mclaren team starting from back of the grid, then the football soaps all afternoon. Get your red shirts on!! :-)

Hi everyone - I have been in touch with my service provider again and they think they can recover the previous forum articles for me. I will wait and see what they provide and then decide how to merge or have an archived forum leaving the new one as it is.
Sunny day here in Blackpool but grim and gloomy in my shed - I am disapointed at how many DIS there are, another headache this morning. Even though I am getting sufficient chicks, losing some is tough when they get to point of hatching then wham.... dead!! I am not as bad as some I have heard of that are getting in touch with me, they have just a handful of chicks in total so best I dont moan too much. Someone we all know (not one of the premier boys!) has 60 rung and another 40 in the nest so far - in this country, so clearly got the fortune with him for sure. Time yet for those that are struggling to catch up and get another round or 2 if necessary. I will do some front page updating later..............

The Members Forum is now a members access only with effect from this morning. That way it will be exclusive to those wanting to be part of it and share ideas etc........ If you click the Home Page tab on the menu strip, log in and you will then get the Members Forum tab on the menu. This will give you access as before. You will soon get used to it. Sorry but needs be!

FORUM - you will have seen that the forum has been off line for a while. If you go on to the forum page now you will see it is back up and running and my first article explains what went on and the reasons why it had to be removed. Reasons I am not going to post on the front page of my website.
This has been a very annoying day or so and I am sure the majority value the site and what we provide - pity the minority don't.

SORRY but the Forum is down at the minute as I can't resolve the problems I have with it. I will give a full explanation once I get to the bottom of the problem but rest assured I have the service provider changing my settings to avoid a similar situation. Will explain all soon. Standby!!

I have to report that for reasons not known to me that the FORUM page has been hijacked and the content seems to have been tampered with. Several topics have been amended to read not what was written by our members and would have caused serious embarassment. I am at a loss how this was done because it is only me that has admin access - unless someone in the IT world has hacked into my account - hardly an MI5 operator - just a bloody bird site......
I will do my best to restore what was here before but feel that we might be starting from scratch...I think I have a similar feeling to someone having their birds stolen. At least this is only a website forum page.

I have been following the Forum about chick deaths and the problem of "black spot" I remembered an article by Linda Hogan and a photo of what you should look for, cut and paste this link and you will see and read about it. Very interesting

http://canarytales.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/fatal-newborn-black-spot.html

Seems that to many dead in shell has increased on the survey with clear eggs now second. I know that this is not a scientific way of accounting or measuring what is going on but it does give a general feel to how things are developing around the country. So click on when you have update and record your status at that time. I have updated some pics on the front page and currently planning the pages for the results and reports later in the year. But before the shows I think is a very important time - thinking ahead, and getting maximum publicity for the shows and entries increased if possible - so if I can help I will. Things like a copy of the front page of your show schedule I can link to your section in the Border Clubs page and give you free publicity etc. Maybe we could draw in a sponsor or 2 from major suppliers - I am open to ideas by email or discussion if you want to call me. Clubs should I think start by making best use of the Border Clubs page as this page gets the 3rd most hits each month and you are reaching over 1000 unique people logging on. Writing to that many would cost you what now the postage has gone up?? Are we going to get close to a generic schedule and entry form that can be accessed online and just an entry form to print off and send in?? or is this still a taboo subject?

Evening, just back from a weekend of selection competitions in Gloucester, If you think breeding borders is stressfull then try managing ambitions of athletes and parents, completely shattered!! If ever your in the Gloucester area and need a room, try the Premier Inn at Twigworth we use it all the time and the staff are brilliant (Zoe, Adi and Kath)
Got home before the lights went out so was able to give the birds the once over and all well as can be. Couple of nests hatched off and seem ok. Think one more this week and then couple next weekend.
Had a couple of calls over the weekend from people having trouble with birds, mainly seems to be eggs hatching then losing chicks in 1st 5 days - hard to help without seeing the birds and just from a phonecall but almost for sure it will be viral and the hens passing something onto the chicks, then it taking a couple of days to take hold and kills the chicks. If anyone can post help on the forum please do.

Another weekend, another suitcase to be packed for another competition - real pain, can you imagine working all week and looking forward to a couple of solid days in the shed, then realising its another weekend away. The sun is plitting the trees again today here in Blackpool but I hear its raining further south. Nothing new from the shed today other than put some birds back together this morning and will be looking for them to lay again early next week - the cocks will be run with them all weekend. Dribs and drabs of information from around the country, seems that some of our members are really struggling to get chicks past the 4 - 5 day stage - if anyone wants to start a Forum article so that we can get a better understanding and can maybe share ideas - then please go ahead.

Couple of interesting updates for you. Firstly from Andrew about the BC site and the news on keeping the BC site up to date and with what. Also that the next Journal is at the printers.
I have just uploaded my latest site statistics below the chat box for those that are interested - we seem to be holding steady at just over 3,500 visits per month by nearly 1000 unique visitors - I would like to make this the actual 1000 members if we can - 966 at the minute. I know that there are lots of overseas breeders that have not heard of us yet and need to get the link to them somehow. So if anyone has contacts overseas send our link and ask them to forward it on too. I see on the sales page that Stan from Canada is looking for some birds if anyone is interested in helping him?
Not sure what is going on with the weather here today - roasting hot, chicks hanging out the nest so hot....time for cooling never mind the heaters.

Pictures of 2012 youngsters from overseas upload to front page and Show us Yours page. Some nice birds for sure

Life behind Bars page updated - the 4 are still growing and showing a bit of promise

Seems to be alot of bad rain in the SW according to the news, lots of flooding expected over next few days - hope this wont affect anyones shed in that part of the country.
Bit of a lull in the shed at the minute, one or 2 nests of chicks on the go but mainly got hens sitting or split up after the DIS round. They will be paired up again in a few days for another try.
After trying the Kings Eggfood pre-season I did actually stick with it and the hens seems to really enjoy feeding the chicks on it, also during the weaning stage the chicks go for it no problem at all. I am not saying it is the be all and end all of softfood but my birds like it.
News this morning from a few friends is that they are having problems at the 4-5 day stage with chicks dying!! my feeling on this is that it must be viral and the chicks hatch, live a day or 2 clear of any infection but then contract it from the hen and incubate the virus for another couple of days then die. I am using Flaggelamix this year for the first time and have not lost a chick after hatching through infection or viral problems (have had one or 2 squashed but thats all) this is an antibiotic I give the hen in the drinking water the night before hatching and then for 5 days afterwards when chicks hatch. Working for me based on this basis - let us know if anyine using it differently.

New pics in the Show us Yours feature. James Weaire has sent some pics of his completed shed and some of his cock birds - thanks James

Back in the UK and arrived hoem about 2am this morning - for those that maybe interested one of the GB girls took gold (from 42 competitors) in a very difficult competition with strong opposition. The Russian men were just to good in the fencing for our boys and as a result of that we could not recover in the swim, shoot and run disciplines.
Straight to the shed at first light this morning and huge disapointment for me, several clutches that were due off over last weekend were DIS with only 7 chicks hatching out of 4 nests of eggs (3 - 5 eggs in each) pretty grim percentage there!!
Still got half a dozen or so sitting with hatch dates throughout this week and next weekend, so fingers crossed for better success then.
Youngsters that are weaned are doing really well and looking ok - happy enough with those.

Morning from Barcelona, my boys are now in the fencing competition, started at 6am and the first of 4 disciplines today. Girls start with the swim as the first of their 4 events.
News from the bird shed is that some new additions yesterday started to appear butas at last night one or 2 nest only had one hatch off - hopeful for some more overnight or today or there will be some shuffling around when I get back. In a rush now so further update tonight when I get back to the hotel.

The worst thing about going away is the packing and unpacking because no matter how long or short the trip, the same amount of kit has to be taken - and of course the pleasure of battling with airport security when we rock up with our pistols - they just love us first thing on a morning at check in. Oh well - what has to be has to be.
I heard from Joost today, you may recall he sent some really nice photo's of his birds (see overseas borders page in photos) well he has so far bred 60 border chick and 34 yorkshires, they really have it cracked!! on the continent don't they.
I will be leaving my brood in good hands for a few days :-( just hope same number or more when I get back Sunday night, will be late so wont get in shed til Monday morning. I think I am going to have the alarm code tattoo'd on her hand because every day I get "what's the alarm code" phone call - would help if i didnt change it so often I suppose :-)
I will update site whilst away if I have wifi in the hotel (might even treat you to a photo from the competition) Have a good few days and finger crossed that everyone does well over weekend if eggs due to hatch.

Photo's of James Weaire's shed rebuild/construction now on the Show us Yours page - plenty to see for sure.......

Ronnie McGrath has by request sent us the pictures of his nest bowl holders, see on this front page and in the Show us Yours page. If you are interested in these them drop Ronnie an email or contact him through the Show us Yours page.
I have some more photo's from bird rooms that I will upload later - just getting sorted for Barcelona tomorrow and then will have an hour or so for the website.
Weather terrible here in Blackpool at the minute - no hose pipe ban for sure in this area at the minute.

Show us Yours updated with pics from Daz Ashton - some nice chicks separated and Daz doing well so far

Purple rinse club are full steam ahead on the bowling green outside my window so sping is here and they have rubbed their woods down etc. Hung a show cage on this morning for the youngsters - hopped straight in but dont know if you find the same but the darks are always braver than the light birds, even at bath time they are straight in and soaked in no time. Photo of the first ones in a show cage in home page below the news items - tails still half way so you can see how young they are. Showing some promise but all change once they moult out, so counting chickens yet. Good reports now starting to trickle through the network and plenty of members getting higher than average fertility - still DIS seems to be a problem though. I threw out a couple of nests of clear eggs this morning - hate it !!!!

Sorry, but I had to remove the Phot Bucket sent in by James as it was linked to many pop ups and not nice websites. I will try and get normal pics from him for you to see.

I have updated the Life Behind Bars page tonight - all well with those 4 chicks!!

11 new phoros just added to the Show us Yours Page. Thanks to Ronnie McGrath for some nice photo's - all seems to be going well for Ronnie

Check out the new pics on Show us Yours page. I have made a link to the Phot Bucket because so many photo's sent to us by James. Have a scroll through them - good viewing and what looks like a terrific shed. Thanks James

Got a few days at home now until Thursday then off to Barcelona for a competition - be glad when all this travelling around is over, thats for sure. not a huge amount to report from the bird shed, next eggs not due off until this coming weekend and the chicks that I have are still doing ok. Dribs and drabs of info coming through is mixed, some doing really well and others struggling - majority though are doing ok by the sounds of it. That said, some of the ones that are struggling are having unsual problems to what they have encountered before, soft shelled eggs and small eggs seem to be main problems. I had a couple of soft shelled eggs but these were from an old hen I kept back and a hen that wasnt 100% so can expect it I suppose. The 4 chicks we have followed are filling out well and look promising - I will snap a pics when I go down to the shed and update their page.

The advert from Brent on the Sales Page has sparked some interest. If anyone wants a dedicated page in the Sales Room just follow the instructions in the advert info in the Sale Room. I can personalise it for you and ad any pictures or words you may wish to have included.

Thanks to Alan for sending in the photos of his shed and birds in the early days of his breeding season - some really nice hens to be seen. Please have a look at Alan's photo's on the Show us Yours Page.

New photo's sent in for the Show us Yours page by Alan Scott - more to follow from Alan later, will post news item when they arrive.

Just added a couple of photos to the Show us Yours Page for you to see and I will be uploading some more photos that I have been sent - later today. The Life Behind Bars crowd have updated their page too.

Morning, mixed bag in the shed this morning, some chicks in the nest (last few from 1st round) not progressing as I would like them to, seem a bit small for their age - will leave them for a few days and see what they make, topped them up this morning by hand but didn't intend doing any hand feeding this year! oh well. Couple of hens started laying again so thats good and the one that are separated still doing ok.

I see that clubs are using the Border Club Pages - anyone can go on these, just leave a comment and ask a question of the club if necessary. I think once the show season starts then we will see an increase in traffic on those pages. My intention is to have the front page of the club show schedules available and linked to the actual schedule if clubs have them electronic? an idea that might cut the postage down, if someone wants to think about if this is possible then drop me an email. Other than that, still seems that clear egss and DIS are the main problems in sheds around the country - hope things pick up soon for those that are struggling

Good morning, very busy days for me work wise and have a team competing in Russia starting today for next 4 days still chasing final qualification points for London. A snapshot from a few people that are keeping in touch with me is that there are some difficult moments being experienced around the country in some bird sheds - still early days but dead in shell and clear eggs are seeming to be higher than usual. I have come to grinding halt at the minute and hens sitting again so not much happening other than last few from 1st round ranging from 16 - 20days old so just waiting last few days before splitting them from Hens. Having my fair share of problems though and some head scratching going on, the few little fifes are earning their keep for sure!! without them I would have been stuffed and lost some of the border chicks. Still got 3 hens that are being as much use as a chocolate fireguard - they have built lovely nest, taken tread but lay? not a chance, even split them up once for a week but still nothing. The one that are already separated are doing fine and look like may have a bit of potential.

New Border Website added to the links page: Graham Holdsworth - check it out!! and send him some feedback

Good afternoon everyone - been an hectic few days, back from Berlin Saturday night, knackered Sunday and then had to leave at 4am for 9am meeting down South yesterday. Now just about caught my breath and back on the roundabout for a few days. GBR team competed in Budapest at the weekend and now on route to Moscow (i am not on this trip thank god)
Mixed bag in the bird shed, the one that are seperated look promising but it has been hard work moving chicks around to keep them fed and cared for when hens just as usual for no reason stop feeding or other problems. DIS seems to be a problem this year, I have had several nests with DIS, something that I dont usually have a problem with so not sure why? Fertility is reasonable and content with what I am getting, still having some clear eggs though. My white cock fertilised 2 nests of eggs and not a white amongst them, so that was dissapointing as my whites have been fairly prolific in recent years. I kept 2 cin car cocks back last year and they have thrown a couple of cin hens for me so far.
The Behind Bars 4 are now separated and pics on their webpage!!
Also Brent Leech had added an advert on the For Sale Page. Going to spend sometime on the website and make some changes over next fews day so check it out as and when.

Evening all - sorry for late update, only just back in Berlin having been out to another location today (Potsdam) another training centre - very impressive, typical german technology and everything very strict. A good experience though.
Also today and next few days GB has a team in Hungary at World Cup No3 still chasing vital points for Olympic Games qualification. We had girls qual for final today in 1st and 2nd place!! brill effort. Tomorrow see's the men's semi finals - hopeful for a couple or more finalist.
News from home is that some chicks are hopping out of the nest and ready to be parted but told Mrs M to hang on til I get back on Saturday!! she said quite a few are laying again? oh eck......

Morning from Berlin - check out the eagle (below) that landed last night outside my room window. You will guage the size of it by comparing it with the window size. We are staying onsite at the Olympic Stadium in ex-british military accomodation. Very basic but adequate for our needs. Went to the Berlin v Friefeld football match last night, free tickets for our GB Team (46,600 there) but was about the same as our Sunday league matches. I am sure that many spectators deserve better than that.
Not heard anything from home yet this morning so no idea how the birds are - fingers crossed that all is ok - will report in next update. We are building a nice profile in the survey - dont worry about adding a double entry as this will help build the picture as the season goes on.

Life Behinds Bars updated - from behind bars in Berlin

Now in Berlin and staying in the same buildings that I did as a young soldier over 30 years ago....spooky or what. Got tickets for the Hertha Berlin v SC Frieburg tonight playing in the Olympic Stadium - should be good. Expecting around 50,000 there so should be good game.
News from the batcave (birdshed) isnt good though....as Mrs M reports that one of my hens wasnt eating much eggfood to feed her chicks - well Mrs M.... the hen does have to actually be breathing to eat - it was dead on the nest. No doubt some more horror stories will unfold before the end of the week is out. A nest of full eggs should have hatched yesterday but still nothing and they are from my cracking Var White Hen - might have started sitting properly a day late and so have not given up hope on these just yet. Few tough days of training ahead for us here, full on all day from very early until late at night. Will keep you posted on any news...........

Rushing around today with last minute things in the shed before setting off for Terminal 5 tomorrow and Berlin bound for a week - crap!!
The first 3 chicks separated are doing fine and will have to separate another nest before I leave tomorrow. Some should be hatching today and hopefully see a nest I am waiting for start to hatch before tomorrow lunchtime - fingers crossed. The original "Life Behind Bars 5" which as you know are now 4, are doing well and feathering up nicely - all darks though and just looks like a nest of feathers. I will post one more photo before I leave and then as soon as I get back, so that anyone that is following progress can see the change in them and what a difference a week makes!! they will be hopping around by the time I get back. One more post before I set off - then it will be from Germany - Gutten Tag!!

Early indications are that the majority are happy and no problems so far, but very early days just yet - will be interesting once we get into May/June so we can see a better overall picture.
Day spent so far flitting between my office and the bird shed, getting sorted for next week in Berlin and trying to leave the birds in good order for Mrs M to look after them for me. Hope to have majority sitting or feeding chicks and not many cocks to be run to hens etc. Separated first few chicks and they are doing fine - some more to move tomorrow (maybe just leave them until before I leave on Monday morning).

You will see a Survey Tool to the left of this news box. I know it is not going to give a blow by blow accurate results service but so many ask how things are going and when they don't have regular contact with others it is sometimes good to get a general feel for how things are around the country. Might be too early for some to make a judgement but we will leave it running and as the season progresses it will build a picture. If you scroll over the results it will tell you how many have clicked that particular answer.

Might be a bright day but boy is it cold outside!! and going to be outside most of today as I am going to watch the test jumping of the Olympic horses we are going to use at the Games in August - great.
Updated a few pics on the Show us Yours page and added day 13 on the Life Behind Bars.
I am thinking that everyone is full on now with hens busy sitting or feeding the first chicks - exciting times. If anyone has a general overview hos things are going, I will be happy to start a poll or something as an interest point

Wow.... hope the snow hasn't caused to many problems - will certainly have caught a few people out. The Garden Centres will be laughing though.... everyone clambering about last weekend putting bedding plants in and zap! in one night they are frozen, so garden centres will be restocking for sure. News from home this morning is that non on death row and all ok. I will be ome tonight before lights go out so will have a whiz around them all. Will update again tonight after few hours on M6 phew...I hate it

Morning everyone, whilst raining here in Blackpool it is with some joy that I note we have gone over the 30,000 hits overnight - thank you so much to evryone that takes time to log on to our site. We try to make it interesting and keep it simple, up to date and the peoples site. Thanks again - next big milestone is 50,000, we will have to think od something special for our 50,000th visitor?? any ideas :-) a pair of yellow shorts maybe?

Like the TV Programme Location, Location, Location today in the shed - some young hens just not getting the hang of feeding the chicks and had to move them around to make sure they survive. Going to be a dip next week as I am away in Berlin for a week on training camp at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, now home of football team Hertha Berlin. No doubt going to be a few difficult phone calls from home during that time. first 3 separated this morning, 2 of them ok but one having little cry - have to be strong at this time and not keep putting them back with the hen - she went straight back to a clean nest bowl and let the cock in with her. The featured nest of 4 are still on track and doing ok - will add update to life behind bars later.

Nice day here in Blackpool, sunny but a breeze coming in off the coast.
Just updated the Show us Yours page (pics from Daz Ashton an couple from me)
Also added a pic of the famous 4 on the Life Behind Bars page. My first 3 are about ready to be separated - will leave them another day yet though - happy enough with them so far. Pic on Home Page below this news item.
New is that most are starting to get first chicks out in past fews days or expecting new arrivals this coming week - good luck, be careful of drops in temperature and hens sitting tighter, squashed chicks as a result.

I see from he News Page on the BC Site that a new Border Model (Category) is being introduced from the Continent "The Crested Border" known as the "Crester" Andrew Triolo seems to be well behind it and I think a very apt date for it to be introduced to the fancy.

Sorry - but Powder Coated Cage Fronts started to come between me and a good nights sleep. Enough was enough.......... enjoy your cage fronts, but not on our Forum.

A rare weekend at home for me and stime to spend in the shed doing some last jobs that needed doing. Got a few slides to paint for the cages in the new extension and fit the perches etc. Very cold last night some hens sat very tight with unfortunate consequences!! I hear from several people that they are well under way now and eggs hatching with no problems - seems to usual amount of clear eggs though. One friend is numbering his eggs as they are laid and monitoring through the season if there is a trend in as to which ones are fertile and clear i.e. is it the first egg or say the last egg laid that is clear, if any - could learn a lot from this, like when do you last mate the cock with the hen etc.... worth thinking about?

Check the site usage for the last month 28th Feb - 29th March 2012.
We have again increased the number of new visitors and had close to 4,000 visits during the month. I have posted a pie-chart showing the new members v returning members. Very Impressive. Take a look at the charts below the chat box
The number one page viewed is the Members Forum followed very closely by Show us Yours!!

Life Behind Bars updated.
Show us Yours updated.
5 Min Interviews updated.
Some updates needed from AGM's on the Border Clubs section if you want to use it?
Getting so many requests from other canary varieties to link them to our site - I am thinking of having an "other variety" column in the links page, the only reason would be because some of the border men do have interest in other breeds and in particular they like the british birds, so have a look later and see what you think. That is where it will stop though - no articles or reports - the site is for Borders and Border driven

Birmingham BFCC AGM tonight, check the Border Clubs Notice Board for more information and attend if you are local enough and can make it

Someome nip round to Mike Page's house and tie him down - won't be any holding him now... just been announced that he is the overall winner of the 5 Min Interview series covering the first 3 months of this year. Congratulations Mike and many thanks for being a good sport and supporting our website.

New page made in the Photo/Video menu for the feature on the 5 chicks "Live Behind Bars" this is being written by the chicks!! so if easily offended dont read or open this page - be warned.

Show us Yours updated with pics tonight from my partner's shed (John O'Callaghan) and front page.
Please make sure you scroll down the News Items and comments on the pages as so much being uploaded by way of news and photo's at the moment.

Congratulations to Andrew "enjoy your birds" Triolo for being selected by the CAB team for having the best 5 Min Interview in March. You can read Andrew's interview on the 5 min Interview Page in the Border Info & Links Menu. This now only leave the selection of the Final "Who is the Best" over the 3 months???? Soon to be announced

URGENT
Please note the revised ring prices with immediate effect (see te advert from BC in our sale room) Also although not asked for on the BC Website you must include the £1.00 postage with your order. Any questions about this please drop Malcolm an email

Front Page Pics updated and the Show us Yours Page.
We got a small mention in the CAB this week in the small news items on the inside of the front page.

It didnt seem possible that I would be saying by end of March that we are approaching the 30,000 hits on the hit counter - really amazing, thank you.
The actual number of pages viewed since 3rd October (6 months) is 393,321 pages, not quite but edging towards half a million pages viewed. That is staggering isnt it?

News about the nest of 5 chicks, 4 of them are very strong and one fell behind the others so topping that one up to help it along, not a lost hope yet. All other nests are doing fine and looking promising at this stage. Got quite warm in the shed yesterday in the hot spell, will have to keep an eye on the sitting hens in case they stand in nest rather than sitting the eggs. I didnt expect to use any temperature contraol to cool the shed just yet - more to keep it warm recently.

Updated Front Page Show us Yours pics. I wont do it with any others but we will try and follow the progress of one of the nests of chicks that have hatched off (5 in the nest and leaving all 5 together) They are from one of my best pairs so praying I am not going to jinx them !! will build up a gallery on this nest of youngsters and see how they grow, develop and what happens to them.

The Final 5 Min Interview is now live online..... hope you have enjoyed the series of interviews over the last 3 months, seems to have been worthwhile and well supported. We have to now launch the next initiative for the site to maintain the interest. Watch this space over this coming week.

Show us Yours Page updated with more photo's from Daz Ashton.........seems to be off to a flying start this season - keep us posted Daz.

Still away at training camp but only a couple of hours left then the drag back to Blackpool from Gloucester, 3 hours drive on a Sunday afternoon if I am lucky. Cant wait to get back to the bird shed and check on progress!!
Will upload the final 5 Min Interview this evening when I get back home to the office - stand by..

Some good comments on the Show us Yours page....keep the photo's coming in

Afternoon, I have just uploaded some pictures on the show us yours page from Colm Southern and Ronnie McGrath - looks like Ronnie is under a total re-vamp!!

Morning (in real time now) from my Premier Inn room just before we set of for a day of training (shooting and riding) been up early checking results from Hungary where we have some of our team competing - 2 male made final, so happy with that - final on Sunday, full pentathlon. No news from home about what is going on in the shed, but hopeful that all ok. Some due off tomorrow (Sunday) and will be home about 7pm so will take over shed duties again then. Hope you all have a good weekend - plenty of expectant fathers about?? (border babies)

Good morning, I have had to tidy the Forum Pages up this morning first thing. As website manager I make the rules what does and doesnt stay on the site and what content is acceptable. A guest (not member) started to get to personal about other people so I have deleted most of the content of that partucular article. Please do not (for very obvious reasons) name people and what they charge or you pay for birds. This is a personal matter between 2 people and not a matter for my website. Cheers!! hope most agree?

Morning, just.... not a complete disaster in shed this morning, couple clear eggs but plenty fertile - checked before I go away for the weekend working (shooting and riding training camp with athletes). Good news this morning was a nest of 5 hatched off (pic below on home page and show us yours) when i tidied the nest up I used some of the white kapok that Paul H has in his nest bowls - the hens like it for sure. Let's hope when I get back on Sunday all is well in the shed and there are as many chicks as when I left them (or more,some due off on Sunday) will keep site updated from my Premier Inn Room as usual over weekend. Birds handed over to Mrs M

Blimey, I leave you all alone for a day and nearly have a war breaking out on the Forum!! calm down boys..... but I have to say that I am pleased with the support from some of you, you have really taken ownership of our site - thanks. Bit of a cheak coming onto our Forum saying another is the best.... who cares? and whats more, is it a competition, how would you measure who has a best Forum? so long as we are a happy little group and this site serves our purpose - then thats the end of it. Horrid day on M6, got hung up in the big accident this morning and was late for my meeting... not the only one, so was ok.

Morning, bright and early today - dashing off down to Birmingham for a work meeting. Some egg shell on the floor of the cages but not disturbed the hens so hope to have a nice surprise when I get back this afternoon, fingers crossed. Had to turn car on 1st thing, frosted over so a drop in temerature overnight here in Blackpool - hope no one got caught out last night and some desertions this morning.

Thanks to Paul Heathcote for being such a good supporter of the site - he has just sent us some photo's for the "Show us Yours" page. When we started this page this was exactly the reason why - so we could all see and share what the consistant breeders of highest quality borders have behind closed doors. Premier setup for sure.....

Front page pictures updated - send in your pics and I will feature for you

Check out the Forum and leave a comment as to the proposal for a Wives Forum Page.....could be interesting - ouch
Nothing new so far in the shed, some due off today, weekend and early next week - so hope to come back on Sunday to some new additions. Several contacts yesterday to say chicks starting to appear, Brian Shuttleworth had his first chick (bird!) yesterday and others now well on way with hens sitting.

Been a up and down sort of day - nest of full eggs and dead in shell - pah...... oh well these things happen. Good news is that the chicks I have got hatched off are doing well and couple more hens due off this week. Feedback from people around the country is that most are now on the way and hens either sitting, laying or at least taking an interest. Keep us posted with any news

Welsh BFCC AGM
Will be held on the 28th March at the Three Saints Hotel Llantrisant 7.30
Good news Mal Samuel is much beter and looking forward to the breeding season.

Well how was the weekend, suppose many of you spent it in front of tv watching some sport, Rugby, Footy, F1 or the Boxing and inbetween all that, getting into the shed and some head scratching...... had a couple more hatch over weekend but also 2 x nests of clear eggs. I have several hens due off this week (Wednesday and over weekend) but as luck would have it I will be away working from Thursday til Sunday night. So left in the hands of "Show us your Wife" :-)
I am really please how members have reacted to the "Show us Yours" page in the Photo Gallery and thanks to those leaving comments - I think it sort of brings everyone closer together and forming a friendly community, certainly now communicating with people I have never spoken to before. The chat room every night is a lively place to be usually between 7pm and 8pm - normally drift onto other subjects (dogs and horses) but plenty of good Border banter and fun.
Hope everyone has a good week and those birds get going soon.
Finally though - keep an eye on the BC Site for any updates and stuff of interest.

Notice from the BFCC AGM today is now on the Border Clubs Menu

Holy smoke: feels like I am editing a newspaper at the minute - enjoying the site so much...... so What News:

The long awaited 5 Min Interview from Brian Chandler is now live on line, thank you so much Brian for doing this, I just know that our site members will very much appreciate your frank and open answers.

The "show us yours" page has been a real hit so far, thanks for sending in your photo's - I have had to make just one comment box though for us all to use as one per member sending in the photo's was taking too much space on the page. Send in your pics as we go through the season - its your page use it as you wish.

Club News on the Club Pages being updated with AGM news etc, so have a read of those pages to keep up to date daily. Clubs keep adding your entries and news, cracking way of getting the message out.

If you have email addresses of anyone that you think may not have our web address please send it to them.

Colm Southern had added his details to the Guest Speaker page - I would like to build this up if we can - particularly for speakers to go to CBS meetings to spread the Border word etc. So complete the online information form (very easy) and get your name on the list...please!

Birds in shed doing OK, usual clear eggs in first round for some hens....but other coming off and doing well so far - several due this week.

Colm Southern added to list of guest speakers in the Border Club menu. I am slightly surprised at the lack of interest in sharing knowledge and experience with CBS Clubs etc. Take a look at the page and see if you would want to be part of the team of visiting speakers?

More and more news coming in of the season now getting under-way. Birds going to nest and already sitting, soon everyone will be looking forward to first chicks of 2012 in the birdroom if not got them already. Many ups and downs to come I am sure - good luck to everyone and fingers crossed for fertile eggs and good feeding hens/cocks

Daz Ashton (Yorky) has "Shown us His" take a lokk on the "Show us Yours" menu on the Photo Pages. Daz looks like he is well ahead of the game - thanks for Pics Daz, why not leave him a comment?

AGM of the Scottish Border Club is this Sunday, for further details see notice on the Border Clubs menu

New page added to the Photo Gallery - Show us Yours! following bumber night on the chat room last night with 8 logged on at one point it was suggested that we have a Show us Yours page/section, so I have just knocked something up and taken some pics from the shed. On the Forum, Chickweed has proposed that we have a Show us your Wife page but I think for the time being we will stick with what we are doing if you dont mind. I have added a comment box for you to add a comment if you feel appropriate. As and when, or if, I get any pics from anyone else I will make own section for you on same page. Pics from phones or any digital media will be ok so long as not massive files that jam the airwaves

NEW INITIATIVE: It has been suggested that we have a page called "Show us Yours!!" a page were members can post pics of thier shed inside. I like the idea and will knock something up in next couple of days to see how it goes.

Amazing what crops up on Ebay, check the couple of things below the chat box that I have just been sent. I would be interested to know when and why a 9 ct gold Border Canary Medal was struck? perhaps something for the Forum if anyone knows?

Evening everyone, back from hectic weekend and just updating with this week's 5 Min Interview by Andrew Triolo - thanks Andrew. It is now live online on the 5 Min Interview Page. One of our GB athletes fought to get a silver medal yesterday in the World Cup event in Charlotte North Carolina yesterday and as I write this report I have a boy starting the last phase of the mens Modern Pentathlon in Charlotte in first place (he has to run 1000m three times and shoot 5 targets down 3 times) shooting skill and fitness tested to the full. A late night for me watching on a live link from the USA. Anyway, what the site is about.... I came home to first nest of chicks hatched off with some more due later this week. Fingers crossed.

Away today again, sat on M6/5 most of it no doubt! will have internet access all weekend so no breakdown in updates. If anyone has contacts that you think would be good Guest Speakers can you let me have email address and I will write to them asking if they want to be part of our list of available speakers. I really think this will be useful to clubs and once we get going, it will be like the Judges list etc and clubs can make contact with guest speakers to invite to events and club meetings. We have womens GBR Pentathlon Team competing in Charlotte, North Carolina today and Mens Team tomorrow - chasing vital world ranking points to qualify for London (we already have 1 x male and 1 x female with qualification standard)

Could I ask you to read the Forum article I have just put on about Guest Speakers and see what you think? Also if you look under the Border Clubs menu I have added an actual page for a directory of Guest Speakers. I am keen to hear your comments - if positive I will put some energy into getting some people from outside of the fancy (that would be interesting to listen to) to list their names. Could be a way of fund raising for clubs?

Please keep an eye on the Border Clubs menu and the notices from the clubs. There are a lot of AGM's coming up over next week or so and clubs would like as much support as possible so if you are available why not go along? I hear the Sussex and Kent AGM went well but no sign of a yellow shirt (MP) no doubt it will get a suitable outing at the BBFCC Show this year? with only a few more interviews to publish I am wondering what we can do next - let me have any ideas, I have a few already but anything you think would be of interest please let me know. I am still dabbling with a live link to the shed but struggling to maintain connection from house down to the garden!!

Afternoon everyone - Good to see that the BC site is still taking shape and I know from emails that plenty of stuff is being sent to Andrew for updated etc. My only point is that we use our forum for good debate and banter as usual. The BC website has a "Submit your Comments" section and this can be used to contact the BC Committee direct if so appropriate. Some know that this year I kept some fifes for emergencies after last years complete nightmare of a season - well they are certainly a different ball game to the borders for sure. I have thrown more eggs out already than my borders laid all last season, no kidding. Hope everyones birds coming forward now and hens taking an interest? I have some down on eggs but not confident about them at this stage. Will wait and see

Not yet lunch time and I have to say that the BC Site is this morning looking pretty good and early wrinkles being ironed out. I think back to how basis my site was to start with and know that with time and dedication the BC website develop setting the bar very high and showing us to the rest of the world as what we are - still the world leaders with our beloved Borders - I have made the Border Magazine below a live link to the BC Site for you to make it easy to connect.

Just updated site with several things: first and most important thing is the 5 Min Interview from Alan Scott, that is now live on the 5 Min Interview Page. Secondly, I have added some new photo's of border from around the world that have been sent to me. Thirdly, in case no one has ever been I took some photo's at Stafford today as I called in for a gander around - it certainly is some event these days with just about every trade stand possible - including all our favourites. I have added a page in the gallery for you to see the pictures larger. Worth a quick look to for you see what goes on and the size of the sale/show or call it what you want..........